5-28-16

Small reservoir for watering stock, off the Greeley Crossing road in extreme northern Nevada. These small watering ponds are commonly called "tanks" in the western US. I've seen it alleged that this is a literal translation of Spanish "tinaja", but it could just be another survival of an older usage. According to the online etymology dictionary, "tank" meant pond originally. Lots of these little ponds dried up in the drought, so it's nice to see it holding water! It just catches the occasional runoff in this usually dry drainage. In fact, it was apparently dry when the satellite view was taken.

Down in the drainage, where the road crosses the North Fork of the Little Humboldt River, which is emerging from the canyon to the left. In extreme northern Nevada, maybe 20 miles from the Oregon line. As far as I've been able to determine, this was an old stage route, probably from Boise, Idaho to connect to the transcontinental railroad at Winnemucca, Nevada. It's now a graded (not paved!) county road. The white spot just to the right of the canyon mouth is the roof of an abandoned shed. The insert was taken from below the canyon, looking up. There was even running water this early in the season!

With water and everything! Actually, it's just the North Fork of the Little Humboldt, but that leads to too long a title for an embedded note. Where it emerges from its canyon above Greeley Crossing. Northern Humboldt County, Nevada.